What type of anemia is characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce red blood cells?

Aplastic anemia is characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce sufficient red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to a deficiency in all blood cell types—this is known as pancytopenia. This condition can arise from various causes, such as autoimmune disorders, exposure to certain chemicals or medications, viral infections, or it may be idiopathic.

In contrast, other types of anemia have different underlying mechanisms. For example, iron deficiency anemia is commonly due to a lack of iron necessary for hemoglobin production, while folate deficiency anemia results from insufficient folate, affecting the production of red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia involves the premature destruction of red blood cells, rather than a lack of their production. Thus, aplastic anemia stands out as the only type that is specifically defined by inadequate bone marrow function in producing red blood cells.